WHY Can't I Get My Water Crystal Clear?

[hydra]

I wouldn't quite say it's cloudy, but it's close.
I work so hard on it it should look like my fish are floating in air, but I can still see gazillions of tiny particles (mulm?) floating around giving the water a slight irritating haze.
I vacuum the gravel as often as I can (whenever there are no eggs to disturb).
I have had a huge bag of Purigen in the filter for a week with no change at all.
I do 50% water changes every Friday. I actually skipped last Friday though. I tested the water with a quality liquid test kit and it was absolutely pristine, so I was like, gimme a break, this water does not need to be changed.
I even tried a powerful oxidizing agent used to purify water for drinking.
Nothing.
I just dosed it with Chemiclean, but I forgot to take out the carbon. Idiot. I guess I'll do a water change and try that again tomorrow.
It's a 55g with 11 angelfish and some bottom cleaners. I know, that's a bit crowded, but it has enough filtration for a 150g tank. It even has two bio-wheels, which are usually great for getting water crystal clear.
I have googled my nutz off and I just don't know what else to do.
Any thoughts?
P.S. Don't worry about the overcrowded angels. 5 or 6 are on the way out in about two weeks.

[supadave]

2 words.......Filter Floss. Btw.....what kind of filters are you using ?

[mnemenoi]

Use a micron filter (like a Magnum HOT) it will have it polished to crystal clear in no time

[Joe Reborn]

Post a picture, they tend to say a thousand words.

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[Joe Reborn]

Also how old is the setup?

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[ptran]

2 words.......Filter Floss. Btw.....what kind of filters are you using ?

+1 on filter floss.

[troy tucker]

+2 floss.

[Tenelen]

+3 floss

[hungvanvo]

Just cut 2/3 of 16oz bottle water and add some floss ( can buy at Walmart ) get one Maxi Jet Pump and put them together. It will clean all tiny particles of your tank in a day . That just make your water look clean and clear but not make your water crystal. If you want you water crystal clear just add some carbon in your filter it will take care the water for you.

[hydra]

Thanks for all the feedback! :)
I forgot ALL about the magic of floss! I ran out about a year ago. Instead of getting more I bought a roll of that blue & white layered floss-LIKE padding. And THAT, fish tank friends, was about the last time I saw crystal clear water!
I'm tempted to rip open a pillow right now.
The micron sock is a good idea, but I don't know how to put one on a hanging filter.
I have a penguin 350 hanging filter with a dbl. Bio wheel, and another like it from another brand I can never remember. I just put 4 new cartridges in 2-3 days ago, with fresh carbon.
Good question Joe Reborn. It's a heavily planted tank that has been running for about 4yrs now. I understand that's unusual for a planted tank but it's still going strong.
I'll have to charge my camera tonight to post a photo, if anybody's still curious, but I'm pretty sure floss is the answer. That and maybe trim out damaged leaves a little more diligently.
Thanks again everbody!
I'm going to find an old pillow now and tear into it like a monkey on a cupcake.

[ptran]

With filter floss however, it will clog up pretty fast so you have to clean your filter more often.

[hydra]

Thanks ptran.
But that's the point, isn't it. If it's going to clog quickly then I have too much gunk in my water.
Besides, when I use floss specifically for a quick polishing, I remove all other media and just cram floss in as tightly as I can without causing bypass. It will be all done and ready to come out in 12 - 24hrs.
Then I put the standard media back in & Bob's yur uncle. :)
How did I forget about that?!
I'll tell ya, it takes a village to raise a fish tank.

[ptran]

I wouldn't quite say it's cloudy, but it's close.
I work so hard on it it should look like my fish are floating in air, but I can still see gazillions of tiny particles (mulm?) floating around giving the water a slight irritating haze.
I vacuum the gravel as often as I can (whenever there are no eggs to disturb).
I have had a huge bag of Purigen in the filter for a week with no change at all.
I do 50% water changes every Friday. I actually skipped last Friday though. I tested the water with a quality liquid test kit and it was absolutely pristine, so I was like, gimme a break, this water does not need to be changed.
I even tried a powerful oxidizing agent used to purify water for drinking.
Nothing.
I just dosed it with Chemiclean, but I forgot to take out the carbon. Idiot. I guess I'll do a water change and try that again tomorrow.
It's a 55g with 11 angelfish and some bottom cleaners. I know, that's a bit crowded, but it has enough filtration for a 150g tank. It even has two bio-wheels, which are usually great for getting water crystal clear.
I have googled my nutz off and I just don't know what else to do.
Any thoughts?
P.S. Don't worry about the overcrowded angels. 5 or 6 are on the way out in about two weeks.

What kind of filtration do you have?

Well I think you are doing everything right to keep the water clean. Maybe just add a few inches of filter floss into your filter and you are golden.

You need to keep your bio media in the filter and add the floss to polish the water only. I don't think it is a good idea to remove everything out and stuff your canister with just filter floss. Maybe your water will clear up in a day, but then next week it will be cloudy with floating debris again.

[hydra]

Mission accomplished!
Water clarity at maximun.
Thanks everybody!:)

[ptran]

Cool man. Post a picture of your tank if possible?